School Overview

Carlow University is a private, liberal arts university in Pittsburgh. Offering small classes, on-site and online programs, and generous financial aid, we provide an exceptional education within a compassionate community rooted in the heritage of the Sisters of Mercy.

In 1843, the Sisters of Mercy arrived in Pittsburgh from Carlow, Ireland, with a mission to serve the poor, the sick, and the uneducated. On September 24, 1929, after establishing numerous schools, an orphanage, and the Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, the sisters founded Carlow University under the name of Mount Mercy College. In 1969, Mount Mercy College was renamed Carlow College.